"There are two ways to react to Kevin Cahill, the veteran Democrat from Kingston who unilaterally blocked legislation necessary for Ulster County to pay its bills.

"Pretty much every elected official in the county, Democrat and Republican, already has cornered the market on angry and justifiable outrage. So let's first take a calm look at the public policy implications."

The editorial concludes with:

"It would be one thing if Cahill were doing this out of some tea party-inspired effort to shrink the size of government by reducing its revenue. But Cahill is a spender. This is not about democracy or policy, it's about an abuse of power so brazen and selfish that it has leaders from both parties joining in a chorus of condemnation. They say that Cahill has become irrational and an extortionist, is taking unconscionable actions that will be a disaster for the county and have a devastating effect on its people.

"But they should not be surprised. Cahill is prone to pout when he does not get his way, as they could have seen very clearly in the recent fight over the merger of Central Hudson with the large Canadian utility Fortis.

"Many people were opposed to the merger and spoke out about the wisdom of losing local control or the lopsided payments that favored shareholders and executives but not communities or ratepayers. The companies eventually changed some of the numbers to the point where the state Public Service Commission gave its approval.

"Cahill would have none of it. The PSC did not do what he wanted, so he will bring it to court.

"Anybody looking for irony here need only remember that among his many complaints was that the utility companies were acting like bullies.

"Well, he should know."

Cahill has scheduled a press conference for later today "to discuss the details of the 2013 legislative session." We will be there.